Macmillan Cancer Support responds to the Francis Inquiry

Today, the Government published its response to the Francis Inquiry which is a report into the failings in the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. Commenting on the report, Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, says:

'Francis has exposed a sub-culture within parts of the NHS which time and again severely compromises patient safety and quality of care. At the most extreme, this has led to patients dying needlessly from dehydration and being exposed to severe neglect. God-forbid it is happening now somewhere else.

'More regulation is not the answer. The focus must be on working with hospitals to transform their understanding of patient care. 

'The 'Friends and Family' test is an effective warning system, but it has to be backed up by proper national surveys like the annual National Cancer Patient Experience Survey so hospitals, managers and clinicians can really understand what patients need and so the likes of Macmillan can work with them to improve care.

'Above all, each individual working in each hospital must ensure no patient ever again experiences the appalling care that has been revealed at Mid-Staffordshire.'

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Rebecca Openshaw, Media & PR Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support

0207 840 4699 (out of hours 07801 307068)

ashufflebotham@macmillan.org.uk|

Notes to Editors:

Macmillan Cancer Support, together with clinicians from across the UK have developed 8 Values Based Standards which we are working together to implement in 5 pilot sites. The Standards are being used to help change culture and practices in hospitals to provide patients with an experience which gives them dignity and allows them to concentrate on their recovery.

About Macmillan Cancer Support

Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. But you don’t have to go through it alone. The Macmillan team is with you every step of the way.

We are the nurses and therapists helping you through treatment. The experts on the end of the phone. The advisers telling you which benefits you’re entitled to. The volunteers giving you a hand with the everyday things. The campaigners improving cancer care. The fundraisers who make it all possible.

We are Macmillan Cancer Support.